I have an op-ed at The Globe Post that looks at what we can expect from the Giammattei administration in Guatemala. Giammattei will also have to contend with how weak the state has become in the last four years. Morales disobeyed Constitutional Court’s rulings, oversaw a remilitarization of the police and the replacement of its professionals, and undermined the free press and access to information. In another concerning move, the attorney general does not appear to have any interest in taking advantage of the expertise of those Guatemalans who had worked with CICIG for the last several years ..read more

Unfortunately, the evidence would seem to indicate that Alejandro Giammattei’s presidency will be much like that of his predecessor, Jimmy Morales. In case you are interested in some of my thoughts from Sunday's election in Guatemala, you can read what I had to say in these recent news stories. Guatemalans worry about graft after Giammattei wins election. Associated Press. Sonia Perez (August 12). Michael Allison on Guatemala's economic outlook with incoming president. CGTN America. Roee Ruttenberg (August 12). Guatemala’s new president faces U.S. challenges on migration. Catholic News Serv ..read more

Sorry about the lack of posts for the last several months. I've been busy with teaching and chair responsibilities, hosting the Jesuit Universities Humanitarian Action Network (JUHAN) Conference, and providing expert witness testimony for Salvadoran and Guatemala clients. I hope to get back to the blog in the fall but we will see what happens. Anyway, I am off to Guatemala on Sunday to attend the Guatemala Scholars Network conference in Antigua ..read more